Amid rising cases of dog bites in Delhi, the Supreme Court ruled on Monday that all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR should be sent to dedicated dog shelters within eight weeks, which will be set up by the concerned authorities. It stated that the stray dogs should be picked up from all localities from more particularly vulnerable localities and cities at the earliest.

The apex court has instructed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), other municipal bodies in Delhi-NCR and other agencies to work in coordination to create adequate shelter facilities within the given deadline and to ensure that the canines are removed from the streets.

Any organisation trying to obstruct this exercise “will face the strictest action”: Supreme Court

Stray dogs must be shifted away from residential localities and any organisation that tries to obstruct this exercise “will face the strictest action” including contempt of court, the Supreme Court said on Monday. The top court’s significant order comes amid a rise in cases of dog bites and deaths due to rabies. Recently, dog bite cases in Delhi-NCR have repeatedly made headlines which led to injury and even death of several children and senior citizens.

A bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan is hearing the matter after taking suo motu cognizance of a news report on the rising incidents of rabies deaths following stray dog attacks. The court said it will hear arguments from the Centre, and no petitions from dog lovers or any other party will be heard on this subject.

Focus on vulnerable localities and ensure availability of rabies vaccine: Supreme Court

“NCT Delhi, MCD, NMDC shall at earliest start picking up stray dogs from all localities from more particularly vulnerable localities and cities. How to do it is for the authorities to look into and if they have to create a force, do it earlier. However, this should be the first and foremost exercise to make all localities free of stray dogs,” a bench of JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan said.

“Not a single stray dog should be released and if we know that this has happened, we will take stern action,” the bench further said.

The court also asked the authorities to ensure availability of rabies vaccine, which lately has become a major concern. “The authorities concerned, more particularly Government of NCT Delhi, is directed to put detailed information about the place where such vaccines are available, the stock of vaccines and the number of persons who report for treatment on a monthly basis,” the apex court stated.

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